Increased neutrophil apoptosis in chronically SIV-infected macaques
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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Processing of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Matched Blood for Alveolar Macrophage and CD4+ T-cell Immunophenotyping and HIV Reservoir Assessment
Published on: June 23, 2019
Carole Elbim1, Valérie Monceaux, Stéphanie François
1Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, UMR, Paris, France. carole.elbim@crc.jussieu.fr
Abstract:
Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) from chronically HIV-infected individuals have been reported to be more prone to die. However, although non-human primates models have been extensively used for improving our knowledge on T cell immunity, the impact of SIV-infection on PMN, in relationships with disease severity, has never been assessed. In our study, we demonstrate that PMN from Rhesus macaques (RMs) of Chinese origin chronically infected with the virulent strain SIVmac251 display increased susceptibility to undergo apoptosis as compared to PMN from RMs infected with the non-pathogenic SIVDeltanef strain. PMN apoptosis was significantly increased in RMs progressing faster to AIDS as compared to non-progressors RMs. Furthermore, the percentage of apoptotic cells correlated with PMN activation state reflected by increased CD11b expression and reactive oxygen species production. Interestingly, whereas inflammatory cytokines IL-8 and IL-1beta prevent in vitro PMN death, the levels of those cytokines were low in RMs progressing towards AIDS. Altogether, increased PMN death during SIV infection is a new pathogenic effect associated with AIDS progression, adding to the long list of markers associated with disruption of defense against infection.
Insights
Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) undergo increased apoptosis during simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection, particularly in those progressing to AIDS. This heightened PMN death correlates with disease severity and altered inflammatory cytokine levels.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) from HIV-infected individuals show increased cell death.
- Non-human primate models are crucial for understanding T cell immunity in viral infections.
- The impact of SIV infection on PMN and its relation to disease progression remains unassessed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of SIV infection on PMN apoptosis in Rhesus macaques (RMs).
- To correlate PMN apoptosis with disease severity and progression to AIDS.
- To explore the role of inflammatory cytokines in SIV-induced PMN death.
Main Methods:
- Comparing PMN apoptosis in RMs infected with virulent SIVmac251 versus non-pathogenic SIVDeltanef.
- Assessing PMN activation markers (CD11b expression, reactive oxygen species).
- Measuring levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, IL-1beta) in infected RMs.
Main Results:
- PMN from SIVmac251-infected RMs showed increased apoptosis compared to SIVDeltanef-infected RMs.
- Higher PMN apoptosis rates were observed in RMs progressing faster to AIDS.
- Apoptotic PMN percentage correlated with increased CD11b expression and reactive oxygen species production.
- RMs progressing to AIDS had lower levels of IL-8 and IL-1beta, which normally prevent PMN death.
Conclusions:
- Increased PMN apoptosis is a novel pathogenic effect of SIV infection associated with AIDS progression.
- This finding contributes to understanding the disruption of host defense mechanisms during SIV infection.
- PMN apoptosis serves as a potential marker for disease severity in SIV-infected non-human primates.
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